Saturday, 23 January 2016

I work for the Financial Ombudsman Service, the free service set up by law with the power to sort out problems between consumers and financial businesses.

I thought you might be interested in the number and types of complaints we received from your constituency over the last year.

• During the last financial year (2014/15), 892 people living in Hyndburn contacted our helpline – a decrease of 33% on the previous financial year.

• This led to our taking on 537 complaints which required investigation from people living in Hyndburn, down from 894 in 2013/14.

• We're currently upholding around 53% of complaints from Hyndburn in favour of the consumer. This meant we found that the business had not treated the consumer fairly, so we told the business to pay some form of compensation.

Monday, 18 January 2016

Dear MP, I am emailing to let you know about a special homeowner support pack we have produced as part of our annual Winter Wise campaign. We thought this might be a useful resource for your constituents and so could be something you'd like to highlight on your blog or social media channels.

The free to download pack - 'Fight the freeze: a guide to winter warmth' - includes tips on how to keep yourself and your home warm over the cold winter months, which is of course is particularly important for vulnerable groups such as the frail or elderly.

Dear MP, I am emailing to let you know about a special homeowner support pack we have produced as part of our annual Winter Wise campaign. We thought this might be a useful resource for your constituents and so could be something you'd like to highlight on your blog or social media channels.

The free to download pack - 'Fight the freeze: a guide to winter warmth' - includes tips on how to keep yourself and your home warm over the cold winter months, which is of course is particularly important for vulnerable groups such as the frail or elderly.

Wednesday, 13 January 2016

The Accrington Observer are running a story on the number of dogs put down or kennelled last year to due to poor owners. The Observer has put in an FOI request to Hyndburn Council and found that in 2013 and 2014, 71 dangerous dogs have been put to sleep and 525 have been kennelled.

Most of these are Pit Bull type dogs – many are crossed.

These are shocking figures and I only hope in the last 12 months these figures have come down.

A new report from the International Trade Union Confederation estimates that $15 billion profit will be made by companies working in Qatar on infrastructure for the controversial 2022 FIFA World Cup using up to 1.8 million migrant workers who are modern day slaves.

The report released on International Migrants Day is critical of Qatar for failing to deliver changes to labour rights or compliance, and warns construction companies, hotels, retail chains and UK and US Universities the cost of doing business in a slave state.

“Every CEO operating in Qatar is aware that their profits are driven by appallingly low wage levels – wages that are often based on a system of racial discrimination– and that these profits risk safety, resulting in indefensible workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths,” said Sharan Burrow, General Secretary, International Trade Union Confederation.

Thursday, 7 January 2016

I welcome the Tory governments intention set out in the Autumn Statement to bring forward Jack Straws idea (a Bill I was delighted t

o co-sign) which will reduce motorists premiums in East Lancashire but curtailing whip lash claims. BB postcodes cover all Hyndburn and taxi drivers have been particularly hit by the costs of rising claims.

Tuesday, 5 January 2016

Haslingden and Hyndburn regularly receive worrying health statistics, some of the worst. Only late last year the area was highlighted for one of the worst life expectancy with smoking, fatty food, sugar and salt consumption far too high. All this leads to high levels of coronary heart disease. I think our grandchildren want to see their grandparents grow old and families prosper. This campaign is important in informing Haslingden and Hyndburn constituents of the dangers of salt which narrows arteries.

The Labour Party

LCC Safe Trader Scheme

LCC Safe Trader Scheme. I have long campaigned against cowboy traders. Labour in County Hall set up the HelpDirect with their Safe Trader Scheme. Don't get ripped off, if you are looking for a trader, please do start here...